Revolution: The Evolution of the Role...

New York, Apr 17, 2008

LOT 149

Turn-O-Graph Gilt Underline Rolex, "Turn-O-Graph, Oyster Perpetual?, Ref. 6202. Made in 1954. Fine and very rare, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with black bezel and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,700 - 10,000

Sold: USD 15,000

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, bi-directional revolving graduated black bezel with red arrow showing the zero point. D. Black with luminous round, triangular and baton indexes, outer minute/seconds track. Luminous steel skeleton hands. M. Cal. 620, rhodium-plated, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 12 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-9

Good

Scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-8-01

Good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

IIn 1953 Rolex introduced the ?Turn-O-Graph? model, Ref. 6202. The somewhat unusual name was written in small print under the Rolex logo. Shortly thereafter it was repositioned above the 6. The watch featured a black rotating bezel to measure elapsed time, which Rolex called a ?time-recording-rim?. A deluxe version of the watch was also available, with a white or black honeycomb dial. Very few of these deluxe watches are seen today and it is likely that the deluxe version was a special order piece made only in small numbers. The Turn-O-Graph was essentially a simplified version of the ?Submariner? (model 6204) launched at the 1954 Basel Fair. Designed to perform most tasks normally done by a chronograph, the Turn-O-Graph was a brilliant idea. On the cover of the first Turn-O-Graph promotional brochure, the watch was presented as the ideal timepiece for the international business traveler. It was promoted as being able to calculate the ?timing of a transatlantic telephone call, the rate of a machine, a patient?s pulse, the speed of a train or the development of a film?. This market positioning was superseded by the 1954 launch of the GMT-Master, which, though it was specifically intended for airline personnel, was also purchased by passengers. The Turn-O-Graph, less successful than Rolex had hoped, continued in production until the early 1960s. Its eventual demise was due partly to the popularity of the GMTMaster and the Submariner. The Submariner was an almost identical model, but listed as capable of being used at 200 meters underwater, as opposed to the Turn-O-Graph?s 50 meters. Unlike the Turn-O-Graph, sales for the Submariner soared. This was partly due to its promotional emphasis - while the Turn-O-Graph was promoted for the businessman who needed to time a transatlantic phone call, the Submariner was sold as ?the diver?s friend?. The only sports model no longer in production, the Turn-O-Graph remains an important part of Rolex history. Though perhaps currently underrated by current collectors, its limited production and distinctive bezel make it a very attractive watch for both collectors and investors.